Today, we have another fun guest post about villains. I enjoyed reading this submission, so I hope you like it just as much. This is the second post from this author, and I’m looking forward to more. Have fun!

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Here’s a fun idea: describe the exploits of King Joffrey to someone who has never seen Game of Thrones or read the books. Just dive deep into the litany of brutal acts the adolescent ruler commits and see what kind of reaction you get. It doesn’t even need to be just Game of Thrones; the works of Thomas Harris are equally nightmarish.

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Before Joffrey Baratheon, we had Hannibal Lecter and before him, it was Alex from Clockwork Orange and BEFORE HIM, it was Leatherface of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame. Pretty much anywhere you look in the world of books, TV programming, movies and video games you find it: violence. For most people unfamiliar with violent media, the usual response is something along the lines of “why would you watch that?”

Why, indeed.

There are lots of theories about the glorification of gore and our fascination with it, but probably one of the more controversial theories points the finger, not at the media, but at us. It stands to reason that such violent films, TV shows and stories wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t a market for it. And the market isn’t something obscure – “everymen” want it just as much as anyone else.

Some people attribute the thrill and the excitement experienced in these harrowing tales as the primary draw. The really violent films signify an attempt to get as close as possible to these cathartic experiences without actually, physically endangering ourselves. It’s like skydiving or bungee jumping.

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Of course, for some individuals it’s an outlet – a way to let off some steam and, perhaps, live vicariously through these individuals in a world without consequence. Who hasn’t had a bad day at work? Sometimes, the people you answer to are not always the most pleasant and it can be torture when mustering the courtesy to not lash out. Who hasn’t gotten super angry at how careless and selfish other drivers can be on the road? The anger builds as the tension builds and it can be absolutely dreadful dealing with the feeling of powerlessness. Falling Down, American Psycho and pretty much any other violent piece of media you can think of help to allay those feelings without actually doing anything you might regret.

But why are the thoughts and the urges there in the first place? Why do we – for the sake of hyperbole – say things like “I’m gonna kill you” in exasperation, and then flock to fictional violence to handle it? That’s something which has perplexed experts for centuries – where does the need come from?

Imagine a time before “civilized society.” Imagine your earliest ancestors not having the luxuries you have. No big sturdy banks to store your valuables and, most importantly, no police or third party to settle disputes – no safety nets of civility to keep us from resorting to violence. There was a time when early humans did what they needed to in order to survive because there were no safety nets. There was a time when, in order to keep your land and protect your family, you might have needed to resort to violence.

Some experts think that the urges and the hunger and the appeal of violence stems from the inherited survival instincts which are, for all intents and purposes, unnecessary and irrelevant in civilized society. However, just as you can never truly breed the wolf out of the dog, you can’t get rid of the primal echoes and the need for conflict and violence. For humanity, fictional violence fills that need.

SourceWherever you think the appeal of fake violence comes from, wherever you think the need for it stems from, the fact remains that it’s there. There is a demand for these things anyone claiming the moral high-ground would deem to be abhorrent and the demand is high. Is it a scary notion that we are predisposed toward it? Sure, but, as with most things, the predilection isn’t to be feared so much as understood.

Only when we understand and accept humanity’s dark capacity for violence can we truly understand the human experience. Only then can we learn to rise above it and see Hannibal and GTA and Game of Thrones for what they are – diversions, means to addressing needs that have no place in our society, and nothing more.

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London McGuire is a freelance writer and blogger for WeLoveTVMore.com. In addition to the horror and thriller genres, she enjoys writing about sports, great food and anything related to television or movies. Follow her on Twitter @londonmcguire.